Trump tells NATO members they are 'on their own' unless they increase defence spending if he wins second term in November

Trump has told NATO members they will be 'on their own' unless they increase defence spending if he wins a second term in office in November.

The former US president said that if he was elected again, continued US support for Ukraine would be depending on NATO members matching the contributions. 

'If you're not going to pay, then you're on your own,' Trump told NATO countries in an interview with Time magazine.

At a campaign rally, Trump told his supporters that Russia could 'do whatever the hell they want' to any NATO country not meeting its financial obligations for defence.

The 77-year-old doubled down on these claims in the Time interview published yesterday and said: 'I wouldn't give [a penny] unless Europe starts equalizing.' 

Donald Trump (pictured) has told NATO members they will be 'on their own' unless they increase defence spending if he wins a second term in office in November

A soldier stands as they fire a handmade small multiple rocket launch system toward Russian troops near a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine April 27, 2024

Ukrainian servicemen fire an artillery in the direction of Siversk, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on April 01, 2024

'If Europe is not going to pay, why should we pay? They're much more greatly affected. We have an ocean in between us. They don't,' he added.

Under the Biden administration, the US has sent more than $100billion (£79.5 billion) in military aid to Ukraine - EU nations have given the same. 

NATO members have agreed on a long-term support package for Ukraine last month, which will see alliance members commit $100billion over five years to ensure long-term support, even amid a Trump presidency.

The proposals, led by outgoing NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, will give the security bloc a more direct role in coordinating the supply of arms, ammunition and equipment to Ukraine as it fights Russia's invasion, diplomats say.

Until now, NATO has focused on non-lethal aid for Ukraine for fears that a more hands-on approach could trigger an escalation of tensions with Russia.

Its members have provided billions of dollars in arms, but at their own discretion on a bilateral basis.

Under the new plans, NATO will be granted control of the US-led ad-hoc coalition known as the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which coordinates the sourcing and supply of lethal weapons and military kit to Kyiv.

The move is designed in part to guard against any cut in US support if Trump returns to the White House, with Stoltenberg saying it would 'shield the mechanism (of providing aid to Ukraine) against the winds of political change'.

'It goes some way to protecting in case of Trump. But it is impossible to create something Trump-proof,' one diplomat said. 

Trump has previously railed against the US provision of funding to Ukraine and said he would 'end the war in a day' if he were in the White House.

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who met with Trump in March, said after their meeting that he believes Trump would 'not give a penny' to Ukraine if he is elected. 

The proposals, led by outgoing NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (pictured), will give the security bloc a more direct role in coordinating the supply of arms, ammunition and equipment to Ukraine as it fights Russia 's invasion, diplomats say 

Ukrainian service members of the 37th Marine Brigade fire a 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer toward Russian troops, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in a front line in Southern Ukraine, March 30, 2024

Ukrainian servicemen practice combat exercises as Russia-Ukraine war continues in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on March 28, 2024

'If the Americans do not give money and weapons, and also the Europeans, then this war will be over,' Orban said.

'And if the Americans do not give money the Europeans are unable to finance this war on their own, and then the war will end.'

Trump signalled to Time that he would also reconsider US military support for other NATO allies should he be re-elected.

One of these allies receiving long-standing US military support is South Korea, where US troops are stationed to serve as a deterrence to North Korea.

Trump said that this 'doesn't make any sense' as South Korea was a 'very wealthy country', implying that it could defend itself. 'Why would we defend somebody?,' he asked in the Time interview.